Reopening of International Schools

Published on 08 Nov 2021

News

General Article

Education Destination Malaysia conducted a survey on the reopening of international schools in October 2021. Here are the responses.

1. What are the safety measures that your school has adopted?

All international schools that responded to the survey reported that the wearing of face masks and physical distancing are strictly enforced. In addition, majority of the schools also reduced the number of students per class. Schools such as Beaconhouse Malaysia, MAHSA International School (MISKL), and Shattuck-St. Mary's Forest City International School required students to return to school on a rotational basis.

Seven Skies Islamic International School and Templer Park International School required regular temperature screening. Charterhouse Malaysia required students, teachers and staff to be fully vaccinated and undergo testing for Covid-19. Marlborough College Malaysia remodelled their classrooms to maximize ventilation. 100% of the teachers are fully vaccinated. All staff and boarders are tested weekly, and all-day pupils and households are also encouraged to test weekly.

According to Frances Frazer, Director of Communications from The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), two health clinics and isolation rooms were constructed for use. They also conducted standard of procedure (SOPs) briefings, and initiated extensive roadmaps on detailing protocols and SOPs.

2. Are students allowed to continue their lessons online if they don’t wish to come to school?

All the schools that responded to the survey allow their students to continue their online learning if they don’t want to attend physical lessons.

3. If students are allowed to study online instead of coming to school, how is online learning carried out?

Out of the responses received, four schools would livestream physical lessons whereas four schools conducted their online teaching via synchronous virtual classrooms.

Four schools use both approaches. These schools include Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) & POWIIS Primary, Templer Park International School, Charterhouse Malaysia and MAHSA International School (MISKL). Dr May Heong, the Head of Admissions and Marketing from Charterhouse Malaysia said that the method of online teaching is determined by the subject taught.

The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) offered off-campus online learning as an option. Seven Skies Islamic International School implemented hybrid lessons.

4. What is the attendance rate of students whose physical lessons have resumed?

Two schools reported a 100% student attendance rate, whereas three schools reported an attendance rate of between 90% and 99%. Five schools reported an attendance rate of between 80% and 89%. Four schools reported an attendance rate of below 80%.

5. What are the challenges faced with the reopening of schools?

Three main challenges were identified.

Firstly, students had difficulties adapting to the mandatory SOPs. Arief Redzuan Bin Ahmad, Business Development Manager from Templer Park International School described that young students struggled with the inconvenience of wearing face mask for the entire school day. Their level of physical interaction with other students have also been limited due to the practice of social distancing. Likewise, Josephine Leong, Marketing Communications Manager from Prince of Wales Island International School (POWIIS) & POWIIS Primary expressed a similar concern. Due to a strict adherence to SOPs, extracurricular activities have been halted.

Secondly, parents were hesitant about face-to-face classes because children below 12 have not been vaccinated. Westlake International School, Prince of Wales Island International School, MAHSA International school (MISKL) and Charterhouse Malaysia shared the same concern.

Thirdly, the implementation of hybrid learning is another challenge. This is because teachers have to instruct both in-person and online students simultaneously to ensure all students learn at the same pace.

Any other comments on the reopening of schools.

Overall, international schools were prepared for the resumption of face-to-face lessons. Safety for teachers and students remains a priority in every international school. Therefore, the necessary precautions are strictly enforced. Students are excited about returning to school, and teachers are happy that physical lessons can take place.

Joanne Lee, Marketing & Communications, from Sayfol International School said that having anticipated the school reopening, preparations were made in advance. Additionally, parents’ willingness to send their children for physical lessons was very encouraging.

Respondents

Education Destination Malaysia would like to thank the following people for responding to the survey: